Get Involved

Getting started is easy

Submit an adult application to the Boy Scouts of America and take the online Youth Protection Training at my.scouting.org. Once that's done you can take additional training based on your areas of interest.

Event specific training

In addition to Youth Protection Training, you can also take the following event related training online at my.scouting.org. Each can be completed in less than an hour.

Weather Smart

Trek Safely

Safety Afloat

Safe Swim Defense

Climb On Safely

Troop Committee training

Each training segement required can be completed online at my.scouting.org in less than an hour.

Youth Protection Training

Troop Committee Challenge

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster training

In addition to the online Youth Protection Training, there are two weekend classes required.

Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training

Introduction To Outdoor Leader Skills

Merit Badge Counselor training

In addition to the online Youth Protection Training, you must attend a three hour class and submit an application to become a Merit Badge Counselor.

Where to find training

Each Council has their own training schedule. Here's a list of ones nearby:

Scout led, but Scouter supported

Your son is a Boy Scout. As his parent, you are a Scouter. While the troop is led by Scouts, it's up to Scouters like you to support and guide them on their journey. We all have something valuable we can contribute to make the program a better experience for our sons. There are many positions Scouters fill within the Troop. Below you will find descriptions of each general category. If one of them sounds interesting, ask a Scouter involved in that area for more information and ideas on how you can get involved. The more we Scouters support our troop, the more successful our Scouts become.

Help with events

Each event has a Scout in Charge, responsible for planning and organizing the event. Helping that Scout is a volunteer Adult Advisor and, depending on the nature of the event, one or more Assistant Adult Advisors.

Adult Advisor

The Adult Advisor works with the Scout in Charge to make sure the event is successful. While the Scout in Charge is responsible for announcing the event at troop meetings, organizing Scouts into cook groups, scheduling planning meetings and other tasks, the Adult Advisor makes sure the Scout in Charge handles all of these tasks in a timely manner. The Adult Advisor also mentors new Scouts who haven't led an event before, and recruits Assistant Adult Advisors as needed.

Assistant Adult Advisor

Large events, or ones that include specialized activities (ex: canoeing during a camping trip) may require one or more Assistant Adult Advisors. Assistants help based upon a general need or specific skill that is required to make an activity successful. Sometimes a willingness to help is all that's required, and any training needed can be picked up along the way.

Adult Volunteers

Parent involvement is crucial to making events sucessful. We always need drivers and activity supervisors--especially given the two-deep leadership requirement that Youth Protection requires.

Committee Member

The Troop Committee is the organizational heart of the troop and is responsible for conducting the business of the troop, setting policy, and helping the Scoutmaster and Scouts with the outdoor program and other planned activities. The Troop Committee also has the responsibility to provide adults for Boards of Review. This is an important responsibility and is one area where help is always needed and appreciated. The Troop Committee consists of parent volunteers who fulfill various roles on the committee. They meet once a month during the school year, usually on the second Monday of the month. We are always looking for more Committee Members to help with Boards of Review.

Committee Positions

Chartered Organization Representative:
The Chartered Organization Representative is the direct contact between the unit and the Chartered Organization. This individual is also the organization's contact with the district committee and the Local Council. The chartered organization representative may become a member of the district committee and is a voting member of the council. The Chartered Organization Representative appoints the unit committee chair.

Troop Committee Chairman:
The unit committee chair is appointed by the chartered organization and registered as an adult leader of the BSA. The unit committee chairman appoints and supervises the unit committee and unit leaders.

Troop Secretary: The unit secretary is appointed by the committee chairman to keep minutes and records, send notices, and handle publicity.

Troop Treasurer: The unit treasurer is appointed by the committee chairman to handle unit funds, pay bills, maintain accounts, coordinate the annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign, and supervise fundraising.

Troop Advancement Chair: The unit advancement chair is appointed by the committee chairman to ensure that the unit has at least monthly boards of review, quarterly courts of honor, and that the unit has goals of helping each Scout advance a rank each year and for new Scouts to reach First Class rank during their first year. The advancement coordinator is also responsible for record keeping and submitting advancement reports.

Troop Equipment Coordinator: The unit equipment coordinator is appointed by the committee chairman to work with the youth Quartermaster and is responsible inventory, storage, and maintenance of unit equipment.

Troop Outdoor/Activities Chair:
The unit outdoor/activities chair is appointed by the committee chairman to secure tour permits and permission to use camping site, serve as transportation coordinator, ensure a monthly outdoor program.

Troop Membership Chair: The unit membership chair is appointed by the committee chairman to help ensure a smooth transition of new Scouts into the unit and orientation for new parents.

Troop Training Chair: The unit training chair is appointed by the committee chairman to ensure training opportunities are available, maintain training records and materials, and is responsible for BSA Youth Protection training.

Troop Public Relations Chair: The unit public relations chair is appointed by the committee chairman to inform parents of their responsibilities in Scouting and with the chartered organization. Provides news and announcements about the unit to newspapers, bulletins of sponsors, web sites, etc. Promotes and stimulates service projects, Scouting Anniversary Week, Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath, and family participation in unit events. Promotes new membership and lets people in the neighborhood know that Scouting is available.

Troop Friends of Scouting (FOS) Chair: The unit Friends of Scouting chair is appointed by the committee chairman to work closely with the unit committee on public relations for FOS; conducts annual FOS campaign to enroll family members and adult leaders in FOS; gives recognition to contributors and enrollees.

Troop Scouting for Food Chair: The unit Scouting for Food chair is appointed by the committee chairman to coordinate an annual food drive for the unit and reports the result to the district.

Troop Fundraising Chair: The Unit Fundraising Chair, also called the "Popcorn Kernel" in some councils, is appointed by the committee chairman to supervise Fundraising and ensure that every youth member has the opportunity to participate in Popcorn sales or other council Fundraising events.

ScoutParent Unit Coordinator: The ScoutParents Unit Coordinator is an appointed member of the unit committee or can be an assistant unit leader. Their job is to welcome parents, keep them informed, and encourage them to help with at least one specific task or project each year.

Troop Chaplain: The unit chaplain is appointed by the committee chairman to provide spiritual tone, guide the chaplain aide, give spiritual counseling, and promote the regular religious participation of each member.

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters

The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are NOT formal members of the Troop Committee. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are advisers to the Committee. They may attend committee meetings to communicate scout plans and to coordinate the needs of the Scouts.

Scoutmaster

The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts to help them create the program for the troop. The Scoutmaster trains boy leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support.

Assistant Adult Advisor

Merit Badge Counselor

Merit badge counselors are the key to success in the merit badge program. They offer their time, experience, and knowledge to help guide Scouts in one or more of the merit badge subjects. The counselor's responsibility is to:

Assist the Scout as he plans the assigned projects and activities to meet the merit badge requirements.

Coach Scouts through interviews and demonstrations on how to do the required skills of the craft, business, or hobby.

Certify the Scout after determining whether he is qualified for the merit badge.

The number of Scouts requesting help is usually not a burden to the counselor, since the number of counselors is normally determined by the popularity of the badge. Counselors schedule appointments at their convenience.